Tibor Pleiss gave Efes fans one last reason to smile
Back-to-back Turkish Airlines EuroLeague champion Anadolu Efes Istanbul closed its 2022-23 season with a convincing 87-72 victory over AS Monaco on Friday. Tibor Pleiss, the man who stole the limelight in last year’s championship game triumph over Real Madrid, came off the bench and dominated in the paint against Monaco, registering a double-double of 21 points with 12 rebounds to ensure that Efes ended the season in style after missing out on the playoffs.
Pleiss’s PIR of 25 was his highest total this term, as he recorded season highs for both points scored and rebounds. The Efes center went 9-for-13 on two-pointers (69.2% 2FG) and 1-for-2 from behind the arc (50.0% 3FG). He came to the fore midway through the first quarter, which was just as Monaco was trying to mount a comeback. Pleiss brought to down 6 rebounds and took his tally to 9 points in less than 6 minutes to help Efes maintain its lead. Pleiss scored a total of 17 points before the break, with 12 of those coming in the second quarter.
It is perhaps fitting that the man who logged 17 of his 19 points in the second half of the 2022 championship game was stepping up yet again in a late-season game, but this time there was no trophy on offer; just pride. After winning two consecutive EuroLeague titles, Efes finished 11th (17-17) in the standings, two wins behind local rivals Fenerbahce Beko Istanbul, who snatched the last playoff spot.
Efes head coach Ergin Ataman stressed before Friday’s game that the team needed a victory at Sinan Erdem Sports Hall to end the season on a positive note in front of their fans. Led by Pleiss, the players delivered and the supporters applauded their effort, as they recognized the great feats that this team has been able to achieve in recent times. It may have been a difficult season for Efes, but the last few years have been a historic period in the club's history, something that will never be forgotten.
Game Videos
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